Title: The Art of the Start: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything
Author: Guy Kawasaki
First published September 9, 2004
240 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781591840565 (ISBN10: 1591840562)
Rating: 3.88
Overview
Have a world-changing idea but don’t know where to start? Look no further than The Art of the Start by Guy Kawasaki.
Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this guide offers practical advice on turning your dream into a reality. With decades of experience as a business strategist, Kawasaki shares his battle-hardened wisdom on everything from writing a business plan to building a brand.
Learn how to recruit the right team, raise capital, and create buzz around your idea. This book is the essential guide for anyone starting anything, from a small nonprofit to a multinational corporation.
Don’t let your idea remain just a dream—let Kawasaki show you how to make it a success.
About the Author
I was born in 1954 in Honolulu, Hawaii, where my family lived in a part of town called Kalihi Valley. Despite not being wealthy, my parents made many sacrifices for my sister and me, so I never felt poor.
My mother was a housewife, and my father was a fireman, real estate broker, state senator, and government official during his career.
I attended Iolani School, where I graduated in 1972. While not as well-known as its rival, Punahou, I received an excellent education there, thanks in part to my AP English teacher, Harold Keables.
He taught me the importance of editing, which I still apply to my writing today.
After Iolani, I attended Stanford University, where I majored in psychology. I loved my undergraduate days at Stanford and sometimes wish I could go back in time.
My parents wanted me to be a lawyer, doctor, or dentist, but I only lasted a week at the UC Davis law school. The following year, I attended UCLA’s MBA program, where I worked for a fine-jewelry manufacturer called Nova Stylings.
From my Jewish colleagues in the jewelry business, I learned how to sell, a skill that was vital to my career.
After a few years at Nova, I went to work for an educational software company, EduWare Services. When Peachtree Software acquired the company and wanted me to move to Atlanta, I declined.
Luckily, my Stanford roommate, Mike Boich, got me a job at Apple, where I spent four years evangelizing Macintosh to software and hardware developers and leading the charge against IBM’s worldwide domination. I also met my wife, Beth, at Apple.
In 1987, I left Apple to start a Macintosh database company called ACIUS, which published a product called 4th Dimension. Two years later, I left ACIUS to pursue my passion for writing, speaking, and consulting.
I’ve written for MacUser, Macworld, and Forbes.
In 1989, I started another software company called Fog City Software with co-founders Will Mayall, Kathryn Henkens, and Jud Spencer. We created Emailer, an email product that we sold to Claris, and LetterRip, a list server product.
In 1995, I returned to Apple as an Apple fellow. At the time, many thought Apple was about to die, but my job was to maintain and rejuvenate the Macintosh cult.
A few years later, I left Apple to start an angel investor matchmaking service called Garage.com with Craig Johnson of Venture Law Group and Rich Karlgaard of Forbes. Today, Garage.com is called Garage Technology Ventures, helping entrepreneurs raise money from venture capitalists.
Editoral Review
The Art of the Start: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything, written by Guy Kawasaki, is a true gem in the genre of business and entrepreneurship. First published on September 9, 2004, this book has remained a constant source of guidance for individuals looking to start an enterprise in any domain.
Kawasaki is a well-known venture capitalist, marketing specialist and author who has been instrumental in creating a number of successful startups. He draws on his vast experience in this book to provide readers with actionable insights on how to plan, execute and sustain a successful venture.
The Art of the Start is peppered with anecdotes and real-life examples that bring to life the practical advice that Kawasaki shares. The book is organized into three parts: The Art of Starting, The Art of Launching and The Art of Leading – each of which takes the reader through the journey of starting and growing a business.
The first section deals with understanding the market, identifying the target audience, crafting a unique value proposition and building a team. The second section focuses on creating a prototype, testing the product and devising a go-to-market strategy.
The third section delves into leadership, communication and building a sustainable business model. Kawasaki has adopted a conversational tone in this book, which makes it engaging and easy to follow.
Each chapter is concise and to-the-point and is accompanied by a set of practical tips that readers can apply immediately. One of the best aspects of this book is that it caters to a wide range of audiences – from first-time entrepreneurs to seasoned business owners.
The insights shared are not limited to startups in any particular sector or geography, making it a great resource for anyone looking to start a new venture. What sets The Art of the Start apart from other business books is the step-by-step approach that Kawasaki takes.
Rather than overwhelming readers with a deluge of information, he breaks down the process of starting a business into manageable chunks. This makes the book particularly useful for individuals who may feel overwhelmed by the prospect of starting a new venture.
However, one of the only flaws in this book is that it may not appeal to those who are already familiar with the basics of entrepreneurship. For individuals who have already started a business, some of the advice may seem rudimentary or common sense.
Overall, The Art of the Start is a must-read for anyone looking to start a venture, and is particularly useful for those who are new to the world of entrepreneurship. The anecdotes, insider tips and practical advice shared by Kawasaki make it a valuable resource for anyone who dreams of starting their own business.
I rate this book a 4.5 out of 5 for its clarity of writing, its practical advice and its unique approach.
